The first will bring shellfish grow-out technologies from New Zealand to increase productivity within the existing farm infrastructure.  The project involves the imporation of a unique flotation drum design mould that will produce float buoys specific to a grow-out system for oysters that utilizes "double-back" longlines.  The concept was designed for Mussel sock culture in New Zealand.  The application of the system in BC will be the first in North America and a first for the culture of oysters anywhere in the world.  Manager Chris Day says "This funding will enable us to generate a large increase in the productivity of our farms.  We anticipate about a 60% increase in production per farm unit without any detrimentaleffect on the marine environment." 

 

The other project was designed to create substantial improvements to food safety and security of BC shellfish through a new and improved wet-holding system.  With the current system, there is no control over the water quality parameters (salinity, temperature, food availability, etc.); the shellfish are exposed to the same phytoplankton and bacteria as if they were on the beach.  Therefore, shellfish for the half-shell markets are susceptible to harvest closures for Vp (Vibrio Parahaemolyticus-a bacteria) during the warm summer months.  The new system is designed as a large scale closed-circuit, refrigerated, recirculated storage facility that will keep shellfish at the most optimum state for market delivery.  Manager Brian Yip says "we will be able to move more product during the hot summer months when traditionally we are closed for shipment to the half-shell (raw oyster) markets". 

 

Here at Taylor Shellfish we are always looking for ways to improve our shellfish growing methods.  Our new floating geoduck nursery is a shining example of that and at this early stage we are very pleased with the results.

 

The nursery was designed by Taylor Shellfish engineer, Chris Barker.  He went through several concepts that addressed many different requirements including location, permit requirements, capacity, environmental concerns, aesthetics, maintenance, ease of operation, and efficiency.  The raft was designed to attach to our existing Mussel Farm, which is located in Totten Inlet.  Barker described the project as "a real engineering challenge". 

 

The design developed into a floating platform 30' wide x 60' long x 18" floating above surface of the water when fully loaded. Contained within the platform are 5 pods which contain 240 trays each and can lift out of the water 16' to service the trays.  The new raft allows for up to 5 million geoduck seed capacity.  In order to minimize environmental impacts, the hydraulic system uses biodegradable vegetable based oil and the engine runs on clean burning propane.  The manufacturing all took place in house by our own shop crew including Sebert Auseth, Brian Omdah, Max Omdahl, and Matt Montoya.  They demonstrated outstanding craftsmanship and professionalism fabricating, assembling, and handling the logistics of the nursery.

 

While it is still early to tell what all of the benefits might be, so far it has minimized our impact on the shoreline, increased survival, and created 3 full time jobs. 

 

The first batch of seed from the hatchery to the new float got 92% survival.  According to geoduck manager, Josh Remmen, if they are able to keep the survival above 80% that will be a huge increase from the 60-75% they were getting with previous nursery methods.  So far the growth seems to be much more even with the float, which is another benefit. 

By having the nursery on a float instead of on the beach, the crew is able to add 3-4 days per month to plant because they don't need to spend the extra time at low tide getting the seed.